Commercial fishing still most dangerous US job, AK salmon #3 for fatalities

This is Fish Radio. I’m Laine Welch — Fishing is still the most dangerous job. More after this –

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Commercial fishing still ranks as the nation’s deadliest job – nearly 35 times higher in 2011 than the rate for all US workers. That’s the latest from the Center of Disease Control’s weekly Morbidity and Mortality Report. Workplace fatalities are measured by the number of deaths per 100,000 workers.

For the decade through 2009, 504 fishermen died on the job. Over half died by drowning when their boat went down, and 30% from falling overboard. Another 10% were caused by injuries onboard, usually from entanglements in the winch, used for winding ropes.

The Gulf of Mexico shrimp fishery tops the most deadly list with 55 fatalities over the decade. Deck winches killed eight men in one year through 2011 and badly injuring 27 more. In 41% of those cases loose clothing or gloves were cited as the first thing getting entangled in the gear.

Cut; Because if that thing gets a hold of you when you’re pursing a line or moving a line or doing anything, it won’t let go and it will end up tearing your arm off or breaking your neck or something of that nature. 5

Cut: So we developed a button that interrupts the flow of hydraulic fluid to the winch and locks it in place. And we decided to mount it right on top of the winch horns, so as you’re pulled into the winch it’s right there in front of you like a game show buzzer and you can slap that and it lock the winch in place. So you’re still wrapped up, but you’re not going round and round multiple times, and crewmembers can come and reset the system and back the winch off easily to get you untangled. 7

Alaska’s salmon fishery ranked third with 39 on the job deaths for the decade, Alaska cod came in fifth at 26 and the sole fisheries ranked 7th at 21 fatalities.

Fish Radio is also brought to you by Ocean Beauty Seafoods, an Alaska corporation proudly supporting Alaska’s coastal communities and the Alaskans who depend on fishing for their livelihoods and culture. Check out Ocean Beauty’s new website at www.oceanbeauty.com In Kodiak, I’m Laine Welch.

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Alaska Fish Radio aims to make all people aware of the economic and social importance of Alaska's seafood industry.

Alaska Fish Radio also aims to inspire more Alaskans to join the seafood industry as fishermen, processors, scientists and managers.

Alaska Fish Radio airs weekdays on 30 radio stations plus websites.

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Who We Are

Laine Welch

Laine Welch has covered the Alaska fish beat for print and radio since 1988. She also has worked at retail & wholesale seafood companies in Kodiak and Cape Cod. MA. Laine's weekly Fish Factor column appears in 20 newspapers and websites, including in the UK. Laine launched Fish Radio as an independent production in 2003; the daily program now airs on 30 Alaska radio stations, plus websites.

Stephanie Mangini

Stephanie Mangini brings the artistic flair to Alaska Fish Radio and other outputs. She also brings the voices of Alaska’s fishing communities to the airwaves. Stephanie has fished commercially in Alaska and her father, husband and four brothers are professional fishermen. Stephanie joined Fish Radio two years ago.